PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2009

The family of Somer Thompson met with local funeral home and church staff members this morning to finalize arrangements. Please note the following.

Viewing:
Monday, October 26th, 2009
5-8pm
First Baptist Church Orange Park
1140 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL
904-264-2351
Fbc-orangepark.org
Open to the public; media access arrangements TBA

Memorial Service:
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
11am
First Baptist Church Orange Park
1140 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL
904-264-2351
Open to the public; media access arrangements TBA

Graveside Service and Burial:
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
Immediately following memorial service
Jax Memory Gardens
111 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, FL
Procession from Kingsley Avenue to Blanding Blvd, to cemetery property No access to media or public; only family and friends with special invite cards will be allowed to enter the Jax Memory Gardens property.

Reception:
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
Immediately following burial
First Baptist Church Orange Park
1140 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL
No access to media or public; only family and friends with special invite cards will be allowed to enter the reception.

Our agency has received many phone calls and emails from residents and business owners regarding making monetary donations towards the reward for information that leads to the arrest and/or conviction of a suspect. Please inform your viewers/listeners/readers that reward related donations are being handled by both Crime Stoppers (1-866-845-TIPS) and by the Justice Coalition (904-509-4034).

Other updated information released this morning:
- 810 total leads; 231 currently remain active and are being followed up
- The final sex offender/predator registered in the 5-mile radius of the victim's home has been located and interviewed. Our detectives have completed that portion of the investigation unless new information about a registered offender or predator is provided.

Detectives, agents and evidence technicians continue their efforts today at locations on Gano Avenue and at the landfill in Folkston. The FDLE Crime Lab in Jacksonville is making the processing of evidence from this case a priority.

Additionally, Sheriff Rick Beseler has been contacted by John Walsh of America's Most Wanted who has committed to feature the Somer Thompson case prominently.

The next media briefing will be held at 4pm today at the CCSO Operations Center at 212 Blanding Blvd. No additional interviews will be scheduled prior to or after that briefing unless there is a major development in the case.

Thank you,
Mary Justino
CCSO PIO